Did Bruce die or is he just in hiding?

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It has been a few weeks (a month maybe?) since I participated in this blog. I did not go into hiding to avoid the IRS or Immigration, I just decided to come home early and attempt to get productive.

As you probably have been following Dianne and Saskia's awesome trip to Thailand and wondering where Bruce went, I will explain. I have a certain need to feel productive (ie: work) if I have been taking time off. While our trip to NZ was nothing short of awesome, it did not satisfy my need for productivity.

In mid-January I came back to the states and I am currently living with my inlaws in Hobe Sound, Florida. Our plan all along was for Dianne and I to make our primary residence here. It has a couple of benefits we could see:

1) The weather is great as I can see from watching the weather channel and all the frozen rain the rest of the lower 48 are getting every week.

2) No state income tax. Saves us 6.5% over NY.

3) Close to family. 2 1/2 hour flight to NJ.

4) We have managed to have a house here that most of the outside upkeep is done by someone else.

Dianne and I figured this would be a great base of operations if we could arrange our lives the way we hoped. That would mean having jobs or occupations that allowed for more travel and possibly living for extended periods somewhere else. Our thoughts on achieving this were:

A) Get jobs that paid a lot with great benefits where we only had to work 6 months a year - Possible, but not very likely.

B) One of us works full time providing a living and benefits for the other while they goof off - Sounds great, entirely doable, but not a good recipe for a lasting marriage.

C) Putting together a business (or businesses) that operates online, provides a stream of income and can be operated from almost anywhere - Seems to be our best option.

Just some background so you do not call the local crisis center to arrange an intervention! This all started with (I know, I am turning 50) me reading a book called the "4 Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss. If you get a copy and read it, some of you will actually get an idea about what I am ranting about. It outlines how to get a lifestyle going that you are able to do from anywhere. With all the new technology out there, it is becoming easier to do.

So for the past month, I have been doing some reading and research on how I should go about setting this up. It has lead to some floundering around with not a whole lot of insights. I have made lists, researched Ecommerce sites and read other peoples blogs on how they have accomplished this (There are more people out there doing it then you realize).

So my ultimate purpose in writing this is to enlist our faithful readers and friends for some help. I have some ideas that I am going to pursue further. They are:

1) A simple online store selling some products I already know. I have always wanted to try this and will give it a shot hoping to grow it into a business that provides a steady income.

2) I think the ultimate would be an online business dealing with information of some type that customers would pay you for. It is easy to ship, could have great margins and be very unique.

Since some of you have your own businesses and all of you are very intelligent people, I am looking for ideas you may have regarding the two points above. And if anyone wants to participate (partnership, silent partner, etc) I am more than happy to include you in anyway that makes sense.

I have deviated a little from a blog about our travels to NZ to see our daughter. But this is a big part of why we started on that in the first place. Seeing Nicole was a great excuse to get our butts moving in a certain direction. I am know asking everyone for advice, ideas or suggestions if you feel so inclined. Who knows, it may lead you to somewhere you never thought of.

So that's it. I am still alive and thinking in Florida. If I manage not to get thrown out on the street by my very understanding in-laws, I will update everyone on how it works out. You can respond directly on this blog or reach me at [e-mail].

Thanks everyone and hope your all doing well!

Bruce

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Comments

[Louise]

Business
Hi, Bruce, I really have no great ideas for an on-line business, but I certainly can pray that you find what you need. I do have one suggestion, though: As a person with a disability, I am acutely aware of the problems involved in traveling. For example, if I were to try to go to Pittsfield, Massachusetts (my hometown), I would need to know what facilities in town were accessible, is public transportation available, what costs would be involved? Getting all this information could take a whole day, and then I could still get over to Pittsfield and find out that the restaurant. I plan to go to has three steps out in front. If my wheelchair breaks down, where can I get it fixed? The biggest problem I run into is trying to find accurate and up-to-date information. With all your travel experience, perhaps, you can help the many people with disabilities would like to travel. I'll keep thinking. Peace, Louise

[OfftoNZ]

Database for accessability?
Hey Louise; Thanks for the response. I hope you are doing well and really like your idea. Would some kind of database with accessibility rankings work? Maybe something like google maps with different popups that show other nearby services? I think recruiting other people with similar problems to get there input would be great. Do you know of any websites where we might recruit people who might want to include what they know about specific areas? Thanks Bruce

[Lynn]

When are you coming to NJ so we can discuss the many ideas I have??

[ann donaudy]

Wondered where u were
Hey Bruce while Dianne is out on the town why don't u come by for a meal and conversation....I live in Miami...Kendall area.. where exactly are you? Also, both u and Dianne are good writers.....u should think along those lines perhaps. Her excursions look awesome.....so happy for all of u and your adventures....give her my best when u speak..when is she coming to Florida?